There are more ways to study Earth’s past climate than analyzing the tiny air bubbles in glacial ice cores.

For instance, anthropology. By studying written records left by humans, social scientists can anecdotally model the climate of the past. This information is then used to further strengthen the analytic results of climatologists.  However, pairing qualitative and quantitative data to model climate can only work so long as there exists a human record. Without a human record, prehistoric analysis of Earth’s climate can only be done quantitatively, such as investigating the oxygen isotope rations within ice cores.

Listen to the story below to learn about how social and natural scientists are working together to study Earth’s climate.  (Or visit the NPR story Old Ship Logs Reveal Adventure, Tragedy And Hints About Climate at its source.)

Why study something in two or more ways?

Scientists use multiple methods in their research because it strengthens the integrity of the results while providing a more complete view of complex phenomena. Want to learn more about multiple methodology? Start here by reading “Benefits and challenges of conducting multiple methods research in marketing“.

Want to learn more about Paleoclimatology? Check out the Byrd Polar Research Center at OSU.